Improvement in steam-engines



UNITED STATES j PATENT OFFIoE.

ERHARD SGHLENKER, OF BUFFALO, new YORK,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 111s RIGHT TO RUFUS L. HOWARD AND GIBSON HOWARD, OF sAMn FLAOE.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 154,0S9, dated August 11,1874; application filed i April 22, 1874. i

To all whom it may concern: 1 I Be it known that I, ERHARD SCHLENKER,

of Bufi'alo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification:

chest cover, all having ports so arranged that the engine may be controlled, started, re versed, stopped, and securely held in, a sta-} tionary position by the adjustment of the movable valve-seat, all as hereinafter more fully set forth. The second part of my invention relates to the location of the cylinders on the central steam-chest so that the centers of each cylinder shall be placed a short distance,

the one back of the center of the other, for the scribed. The third part of my invention relates to the shaft and the arrangement of its counter-balances and bearings with relation to the steam-chest cover and other parts of the engine, as hereinafter set forth. Lastly, the 1nvention relates to a new and improved combination-of devices, all co-operating in man-:

ner hereinafter specified.

' Figure 1 is a front elevation, showing the cylinders and the movable valve-seat, and pinion by which it is operated. Fig. 2 is an'internal view of the steam-chest cover, showing I the movable valve-seat as arranged so as to move the engine in the direction shown by the arrow. Fig. 3 represents the same, showing the movable valve-seat arranged so as to 1 valve-seat, and the steam-chest cover; and

Fig. 7 represents a section through the steamchest cover, movable valve seat, rotating valve, and a fragment or part of the crankshaft, the steam-chest, and exhaustpipe.

The engine consists of three cylinders, A,

B, and 0, cast in one casting, having open.

steam-chest, so that the center of each will be The-first part of my invention relates to the construction and combined operation of a movj able valveseat, revolving valve, and steam- 1 the position of the cylinders may be reversed,

the arrangement being such that the three connections may beplaced or-connected, one

without the necessity of being bent, offset, or

forked. I The movable valve-seat E is operated f along the side of the other, on the crank-pin purposes hereinafter more particularly de-1 and controlled by the pinidifEas shown in Fig. 1, a section of the outer periphery of the valveseat being formed with teeth or cogs for that purpose. t is also provided with ports 1" and a for the passage of the steam. Letter G IIQRIGSBHtS the cover'of the steam-chest, in

Figs. 273, 6, and 7 and letter H represents the revolving valve, in Figs. 4, 6, and 7. The steam-chest cover Gris providedwith ports 4", and the valve H with an opening or port, P, and a depression or chamber, P. Letter j in Figs. 6 and 7, represents the crank, and letters K K represent the counter-balance on the crank, for the purpose of balancing the weight of the piston and rod. The piston for each of the cylinders is an ordinary trunk or bucket piston, having the usual piston-packing. Letter L in Fig. 6 represents the shaft, connected in the pinion F in Fig. 1, for operating the movable valve-seat E in starting,

stopping, and reversing the engine, an also in coiitrolling the 'cdt-off. Letter M in Fig. 6 represents the stuffing-box for shaft L, and letter N in Fig. 5 represents the inlet for steam into the steam-chest; and O, in Figs. 6 and 7, the outlet for the exhaust. Letter R -in Fig. 6 represents the crank-pin.

Letter tin Fig. 7 represents crank-shaft bearin g, working within the sleeve U in the steamohest cover, for the purpose of supporting that end of the crank, and for operating the revolving valve, to which it is fastened by a key or feather. The movable valve-seat is also kept in place by the sleeve U, upon which it turns; and W in Figs. 2 and 3 represents a pin or stop in steam-chest cover, for the purpose of limiting the movement of the valve-seat.

The operation of the engine, when moving in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, is as follows: Steam being admitted through the opening P in the revolving valve H, Fig. 4, passes through one of the ports a in the movable valve-seat, and through corresponding port 1' in the steam-chest cover G, (shown by dotted lines,) and from thence, through the port 1), in the direction shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, to the outer end of the cylinder A, thereby moving the piston. The side of the opening d of valve H, Fig. 4, is now at the point e, as shownby dotted line in Fig. 1, having uncovered the port and placed the cylinder 0 under exhaust, the egrhaust-steam passing ontpf the next port a;;intl1'e"m0vable valve -seat 1E, and "through' the depression or chamber P in the under side of revolving valve H, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4

and from thence through the opening 9 in the movable valve-seat, Fig. 3, and out of the pipe 0 in the center of the steam-chest cover, (shown in Figs. 6 and 7,) while the steam is partly cut off in cylinder B.

It will be readily seen that, as the revolving valve H continues its movement, the same operation will be repeated from cylinder to cylinder, causing the engine to move in the direction shown. I

By operating the movable valve-seat by means of the pinion F, and its connection with .the toothed section of said valve, so that the port a: will be in the position shown by the dotted line j in Fig. 2, steam will be shut off from the outer ends of the cylinders, and the engine will be stopped without cutting ofi the shown in Fig. 4. It is arranged so as to cut I off steam without interfering with the exhaust; but the point of cut-off may be varied V by increasing or decreasing the distance from t to d, and without interfering with the point of cutting off in the reverse movement; but, if desired, the point of cutting 011' in the reverse movement may be varied, also, by decreasing the distance bet-ween the points as and 3 Fig. 4. V The holes 8 s in revolving valve H, Fig. 4, serve to admit steam sufficient to start the engine slowly, in case the engine should be stopped at any time in a position not to take steam through the opening P, Fig. 4.

Having thus described my invention and its operation, I claim as follows: 1. The movable valve-seat E, having ports a and ports 7', operating in combination with the revolving valve H, having ports P P, and with cover Gr, having ports 4', substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The arrangement of two or more steamcylinders around a central steam-chest, so that the centers of the connections, when placed one alongside of the, other on the crank-pin, will be within or near the center of each cylinder,-substantially as described.

3. The arrangement of counter-balances K K upon the shaft, and its outer bearing t in sleeve attached to steam-chest cover, as and for the purposes and substantially as described. v

4. Thecoinbination of the steam-chest cover G, movable seat E, and revolving valve H with the pinion F and cylinders AB 0, all operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ERHARD SOHLENKER.

Witnesses H. U. SOPER, P. P. BURTIS. 

